Sarasota County, FL Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

County Code § 90-32(9) defines a park Permit as the written authorization the Code Administrator issues to use a park facility, or to take part in a program or event, at a County Park or Beach, issued according to the County's Parks General Facility Use Guidelines. Several of the activities the County ordinarily prohibits on Parks and Beaches under § 90-33(a) and (b), from overnight camping to selling food or renting sports equipment, can go forward only if a Permit authorizes them. Section 90-33(c) sets out what the County weighs when deciding whether to grant one of those permits: the location of the proposed activity, its potential to harm public safety, property, noise and light levels, or natural, historical, or cultural resources; the time of the activity and its effect on other scheduled events and neighboring properties; and the risk that the activity would result in an unlawful taking of a species protected under federal or state law, including the federal Endangered Species Act.

If the County denies a permit, the applicant can appeal that denial to the Board of County Commissioners. Beyond activity-specific permits, § 90-35(a)(5) separately authorizes the County to charge permit fees to use a facility or to perform an action at a County Park, and § 90-35(b) ties those fees to the average actual cost, including overhead, that the County incurs programming and maintaining the park and its facilities. The County Administrator or a designee sets the general fee schedule under § 90-35(c) and can amend it from time to time.